SJM Macao Open 2026 brings world-class golf to the wider community

• The SJM Macao Open 2026 was held at the Macau Golf & Country Club from 15 to 18 October.
• A varied program of community activities and dedicated student experiences brought the spirit of golf into the wider Macau community.

The SJM Macao Open 2026 was held at the Macau Golf & Country Club from 15 to 18 October, bringing world-class competition to Macau as well as plenty of excitement beyond the golf course.

As title sponsor and co-organizer, SJM Resorts, S.A. joined forces with the tournament to put together a varied program of community activities and dedicated student experiences, giving residents of all ages the chance to get involved and experience the tournament first-hand. These initiatives brought the spirit of golf into the wider Macau community, encouraging participation and helping to foster interest in the sport among future generations.

Community Golf Fun Days
Held at Anim’Arte NAM VAN for the first time this year, the Community Golf Fun Days brought golf closer to residents and visitors from 9 to 11 and 16 to 18 October. The six-day program attracted close to 1,200 participants, with people of all ages testing their putting accuracy, practicing their swings at golf nets and taking on chipping challenges to win prizes. A giant golf ball installation and tournament backdrop also provided popular photo opportunities, while families enjoyed discovering the sport together in a relaxed atmosphere.

At a dedicated session for students on 10 October, Carol Tai, Vice President of Community and Government Relations of SJM; Michael Kraus, Senior Director of Golf Events of IMG; and Manuel Senna Fernandes, President of the Macau Golf Association, joined Chinese rising star Andi Xu, last year’s top local finisher Ma Kaijun and local qualifiers Jim Huang and Hung Chi Che to welcome 30 students from Pui Ching Middle School and Escola Secundária Luso-Chinesa de Luís Gonzaga Gomes.

The players introduced the students to golf and its basic techniques before guiding them through interactive activities in small groups. The session gave students a better understanding of the sport and an opportunity to put their newly learned skills into practice

Student-exclusive experiences
On 15 and 16 October, SJM organized two dedicated youth programs at the Macau Golf & Country Club, inviting nearly 70 local students to experience the international tournament venue and meet experienced professional golfers competing in the tournament.

Two School Discovery Golf Day sessions welcomed around 30 students from Pui Ching Middle School (Coloane), Escola Secundária Luso-Chinesa de Luís Gonzaga Gomes and the University of Macau. The sessions were led by mainland Chinese rising star Zhou Yanhan, who won seven China Tour titles last year, and Hong Kong golfer Matthew Cheung, a bronze medalist in the men’s team event at the 2023 Asian Games.

Meanwhile, the Golf Clinic attracted around 40 enthusiastic students from Santa Rosa de Lima English Secondary School, The International School of Macao and Macau Anglican College. They received coaching from American star Kevin Na, a five-time PGA Tour winner, and Thai talent TK Chantananuwat, who has ranked as high as sixth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and is the youngest player in history to win a tournament on one of the world’s major pro tours.

With expert guidance from the professionals, the students experienced the fun of golf on the tournament grounds, developing their shot-making skills through hands-on practice and gaining a closer connection to the professional game. They also posed for photographs with the players and enjoyed a range of themed games at the SJM Macao Open Fan Village, further immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the annual sporting event. Through these experiences, SJM said it hopes to encourage young people to take part in sport and improve their physical fitness. Each student also received tournament-exclusive souvenirs as a memento of the experience.

Behind-the-scenes tours for university students
On 14 and 15 October, SJM hosted two behind-the-scenes university tours at the Macau Golf & Country Club, giving university students an inside look at the international tournament. The tours welcomed about 90 students from the University of Macau and the City University of Macau.

Following a comprehensive introduction to golf etiquette, students explored the tournament venue, visiting the event tournament office, media center, scoring office, Asian Tour Office, players’ lounge, practice areas, tee boxes, greens, spectator stands and the Fan Village. Seeing first-hand the teamwork and coordination required to stage a world-class tournament gave them a deeper understanding of the professional operations behind Macau’s major sporting events.

Walk Like a Champion
To encourage residents to embrace a healthy lifestyle, SJM held the Walk Like a Champion activity at the Macau Golf & Country Club early on 16 October. Around 35 seniors from the Caritas Macau Ian Fai Integrated Senior Citizens Care Centre were invited to the tournament venue for a walk around the international-standard golf course, completing a series of activity check points. The activity was also open to the public on Saturday and Sunday and drew an enthusiastic response, with the first 10 participants to complete the walk receiving exclusive tournament merchandise.

With thoughtful arrangements and support, the seniors set off in high spirits along a specially planned route through the course’s lush surroundings. After completing the walk, they tried a variety of golf-themed games at the Fan Village, with many describing their first experience of golf as eye-opening and great fun. The activity not only encouraged seniors to spend more time exercising outdoors and stay physically and mentally active, but also reflected SJM’s commitment to combining international sporting events with community care, giving senior residents the opportunity to share in the excitement of Macau’s major sporting occasions.

SJM actively brings world-class international sporting events to Macau and organizes a range of related experiences for the wider community. From first encounters with golf and inspiring mentorship from top professionals to behind-the-scenes tours, these activities give participants a deeper appreciation of the dedication and teamwork that bring the tournament to life.

For SJM, major sporting events serve as powerful catalysts for community enrichment and local engagement, inspiring residents to embrace healthier lifestyles. These efforts also strengthen the cross-sector integration of “Sports + Tourism,” reinforcing Macau’s international standing as a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” and a dynamic “City of Sports.”